William J. Conner

William J. Conner has 30 years of experience in development in education and the arts and as a management consultant in philanthropy. He is currently the Managing Director of Europe’s leading fundraising and management consultancy, Brakeley Ltd. in London. Clients have included some of the leading cultural institutions, institutions of higher education and international NGO’s active in the US, UK and Continental Europe. Conner also acts as Development Director at New College, University of Oxford.

Mr. Conner’s institutional experience includes the role of Associate Dean for Advancement with the London Business School, Director of Development for the San Francisco Opera, Assistant General Manager of the Greater Miami Opera, Executive Director of the Castle Hill Foundation and Director of Development and Public Relations at Boston University School for the Arts.

An active professional in the field, Mr. Conner is a frequent lecturer on topics related to philanthropy and not-for-profit management. He has presented at many professional conferences in North America and Europe.  He was a founder of the Boston Early Music Festival, and he plays the harpsichord in his spare time.